Waha Land and Etisalat Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement

‘ALMARKAZ’ is the first industrial project implementing Smart City Solutions in the UAE
Waha Land Company, the real estate development arm of Waha Capital, one of the leading corporations for financial investments listed in the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Etisalat, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). An agreement has been made between both parties to build a comprehensive telecommunications network, in addition to smart cities services and applications provided by Etisalat in “ALMARKAZ”, the mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi.
The MOU was signed by Engineer Hazim Saeed Al Nowais, Chief Operating Officer, Waha Land and Abdullah Hashim, Senior Vice President – Business Solutions, Etisalat, during the Cityscape Abu Dhabi Event, which is being held from 17 to 21 April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
This agreement sets a milestone as being the first specialised industrial projects that implements Smart City Solutions in UAE. Smart City Solution, developed by Etisalat focuses on efficient management/operation for city/community operators and enhanced lifestyle for tenants inside city/community. The standard building blocks of Etisalat Smart City Solution consist of Smart Lifestyle Solution, Smart Asset Management Solution, Smart Wireless Home Solution, Smart Transportation Solution and Smart Energy Management Solution.

This vital project is established on a six square kilometer plot of land, just 25km away from the centre of Abu Dhabi city, and includes an integrated complex of stores, warehouses and light industrial facilities.
In accordance with the agreement, both parties will design and execute the integrated communications and fiber optic network assigned for the first phase of the project, which will be built on a 1.5 square km plot of land. The first phase includes the establishment of light industrial complexes on a plot area of 90,000 square meters, scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, while the first industrial complexes will be handed over by the third quarter of this year to the company’s clients in both the private and public sectors
“We are pleased to sign this agreement and we are looking forward to a long-lasting strategic partnership. We share Etisalat’s vision to develop smart applications now and in the future, and enhance the concept of sustainable projects in order to cope with the huge developments happening in Abu Dhabi and the UAE in various economical sectors” Hazim Saeed Al Nowais.
“These advanced applications provide remote building surveillance and monitoring capabilities in addition to the effective management of infrastructure resources, in particularly water and electricity. It is expected that these new management techniques will contribute in reducing the total energy consumption of the project by ten percent,” Al Nowais added.
Commenting on the association, Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions at Etisalat said: “Today worldwide resource consumption is at an all time high and there is immense ecological, social and environmental pressure to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Etisalat is leading this initiative from the forefront through Etisalat’s Smart City Solutions that harnesses the power of technology to provide innovative applications allowing communities like Al Waha to optimize their resource utilization, while increasing process efficiencies and attaining their objective of providing high-quality living infrastructure to its tenants. This is also part of Etisalat‘s strategic initiatives to introduce a range of innovative services which will position UAE as one of the most advanced nations in terms of Telecom and ICT services.”
“We would like to congratulate Waha Land for their vision to work on a key project in the Smart Cities sector. Etisalat will work on building and supplying the project with the latest global technologies of Smart Cities such as Energy Usage Management and Monitoring, Remote Water Meter Management and Monitoring and high-breed technology surveillance systems delivered on its state-of-the-art fiber optic network that will not only decrease resource consumption but will also improve the standard of living for the tenants multifold, by increasing convenience and providing  unmatched safety and security. ,” Hashim concluded.   .
“ALMARKAZ” is considered to be one of the most specialised projects in the capital which provides all needs for industrial companies, and it is distinct in its ability to provide a flexible, wide range of options to its clients, whether small to medium enterprises or larger companies. ALMARKAZ can supply flexible and suitable units to companies, while meeting its current and future needs, without the need to move to other locations.

The project is strategically located, close to Abu Dhabi city, and there is an integrated transportation network including paved roads, ensuring quick access to the city and seaports. ALMARKAZ is also within close range to the upcoming Etihad Rail project, currently under construction, and facilitates easy access to other emirates and countries throughout the GCC.
“ALMARKAZ” is a high-specification project which utilises environmentally-friendly materials, while providing an advanced infrastructure. It boats a large number of utilities for both tenants and project owners, and features a customer care centre in addition to facilities including shops, commercial offices and mosques.